Description

This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a delicious and creamy twist on the classic Caesar salad, combining tender cooked chicken, al dente pasta, crunchy romaine lettuce, and tangy Caesar dressing. Perfect as a quick lunch or a refreshing summer side dish, this salad is easy to prepare and can be customized with optional ingredients like mayonnaise for extra creaminess or lemon wedges for a zesty finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Protein

8 ounces rotini or penne pasta
2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded

Dressing and Cheese

1/2 cup Caesar dressing
1/4 cup mayonnaise (optional, for extra creaminess)
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Vegetables and Garnish

1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup croutons, crushed slightly

Seasoning and Serving

Salt and black pepper to taste
Lemon wedges for serving (optional)

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Instructions

Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to cool it down and stop the cooking process. Set aside.
Prepare the dressing mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the Caesar dressing, mayonnaise if using, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well until smooth and creamy.
Combine pasta and chicken: Add the cooled pasta and cooked chicken breast into the bowl with the dressing mixture. Toss gently to coat everything evenly with the dressing.
Add fresh vegetables: Fold in the chopped romaine lettuce and halved cherry tomatoes gently, ensuring they are evenly distributed without bruising the lettuce.
Season: Taste the salad and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your preference.
Chill the salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 15 to 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
Serve and garnish: Just before serving, sprinkle the salad with crushed croutons for added crunch and serve with lemon wedges on the side for a bright, fresh finish if desired.

Notes

Use rotisserie chicken for a convenient and flavorful shortcut.
For added flavor and texture, toss in crispy bacon bits or sliced avocado.
This salad keeps well refrigerated for up to 2 days; however, add the croutons right before serving to maintain their crunch.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
Calories: 430
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 580mg
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 16g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 55mg